rare-8k_20200630.htm
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UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, DC 20549

_______________

FORM 8-K

CURRENT REPORT

Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934

Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported): June 30, 2020

ULTRAGENYX PHARMACEUTICAL INC.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in charter)

 

Delaware

001-36276

27-2546083

(State or other jurisdiction
of incorporation)

(Commission
File Number)

(IRS Employer
Identification No.)

 

60 Leveroni Court, Novato, California

94949

(Address of principal executive offices)

(Zip Code)

Registrant’s telephone number, including area code:  (415) 483-8800

Not Applicable

(Former name or former address, if changed since last report)

Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions:

 

Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)

Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)

Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))

Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))

 

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:

Title of each class

Trading Symbol

Name of each exchange on which registered

Common Stock, $0.001 par value

RARE

The Nasdaq Global Select Market

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is an emerging growth company as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act of 1933 (§ 230.405 of this chapter) or Rule 12b-2 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (§ 240.12b-2 of this chapter).

Emerging growth company 

If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act. 


Item 7.01

Regulation FD Disclosure

On June 30, 2020, Ultragenyx Pharmaceutical Inc. (the “Company”) posted a presentation (the “Presentation”) to its website at www.ultragenyx.com in the “Events and Presentations” subsection of the “Investors” tab.

The information set forth under Item 7.01 and in the Presentation shall not be deemed “filed” for purposes of Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, nor shall it be deemed incorporated by reference in any filing under the Securities Act of 1933, except as shall be expressly set forth by specific reference in any such filing.

 

Item 8.01

Other Events

On June 30, 2020, the Company issued a press release (the “Press Release”) announcing approval by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration of Dojolvi™ (triheptanoin) as a source of calories and fatty acids for the treatment of pediatric and adult patients with molecularly confirmed long-chain fatty acid oxidation disorders (LC-FAOD). A copy of the Press Release is filed as Exhibit 99.1 and incorporated herein by reference.

 

Item 9.01

Financial Statements and Exhibits

 

(d) Exhibits

 

Exhibit No.

Description

99.1

Press Release dated June 30, 2020.

104

The cover page from the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K dated June 30, 2020 formatted in Inline XBRL.



SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Date: June 30, 2020

 

 

 

 

 

Ultragenyx Pharmaceutical Inc.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

By:

 

/s/ Shalini Sharp

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Shalini Sharp

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Executive Vice President, Chief Financial Officer

 

 

rare-ex991_6.htm

Exhibit 99.1

 

Ultragenyx Announces U.S. FDA Approval of Dojolvi™ (UX007/triheptanoin), the First FDA-Approved Therapy for the Treatment of Long-chain Fatty Acid Oxidation Disorders

 

Fourth U.S. FDA Approval for Ultragenyx in the Past Three Years All for Rare Diseases which Previously Had No Approved Therapies

 

Ultragenyx to Host Conference Call Today at 4:00 pm Eastern Time

 

NOVATO, Calif., June 30, 2020 – Ultragenyx Pharmaceutical Inc. (NASDAQ: RARE), a biopharmaceutical company focused on the development and commercialization of novel products for rare and ultra-rare diseases, today announced that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved Dojolvi™ (triheptanoin) as a source of calories and fatty acids for the treatment of pediatric and adult patients with molecularly confirmed long-chain fatty acid oxidation disorders (LC-FAOD). LC-FAOD are a group of rare, lifelong and life-threatening genetic disorders in which the body is unable to convert long-chain fatty acids into energy. Dojolvi is a highly purified, synthetic, 7-carbon fatty acid triglyceride specifically designed to provide medium-chain, odd-carbon fatty acids as an energy source and metabolite replacement for people with LC-FAOD.

 

“With today’s FDA approval, patients living with this serious, unpredictable, and often catastrophic disease now have an approved therapy. Many patients with long-chain fatty acid oxidation disorders have difficult lives with frequent hospitalizations and major medical events despite the best current care. Now these patients have an approved treatment as an option to help manage their disease,” said Camille L. Bedrosian, M.D., Chief Medical Officer of Ultragenyx. “We are grateful to the patients, caregivers, families, dietitians and doctors involved for helping to make this community milestone possible, and we are committed to ensuring that all patients in the U.S. with LC-FAOD who might benefit from Dojolvi will have access to it.”

 

LC-FAOD are a group of autosomal recessive genetic disorders characterized by metabolic deficiencies in which the body is unable to convert long-chain fatty acids into energy. The inability to produce energy from fat can lead to severe depletion of glucose in the body and serious complications, which can lead to hospitalizations or early death. LC-FAOD are included in newborn screening panels across the U.S. and in certain European countries due to the risk for serious outcomes including death early in life.  Other current treatment options for LC-FAOD include avoidance of fasting, low-fat/high-carbohydrate diets, carnitine and even-carbon medium-chain triglyceride (MCT) oil, a medical food product. LC-FAOD affect an estimated 2,000 to 3,500 children and adults in the United States.

 

“FDA approval of Dojolvi for the treatment of long-chain fatty acid oxidation disorders is a huge milestone for patients and their families, as it is the first such medication,” said Dr. Jerry Vockley, Professor of Human Genetics and Chief of Medical Genetics at Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh of UPMC. “While we have been able to identify these disorders at birth for many years, treatment options have been limited. Dojolvi brings hope as a new tool now available to

 


 

clinicians taking care of these patients. Rare disease research, especially development of new therapies, is an arduous and time consuming process, and today’s announcement represents the culmination of nearly 20 years of work on the part of numerous researchers, clinicians, and patients. I’m tremendously excited to have been a part of this process.”

 

Ultragenyx expects Dojolvi to be available to patients in the next 30 days. To support access, Ultragenyx’s UltraCare® program helps patients and caregivers understand insurance coverage and assists them in finding financial support for Ultragenyx medicines, including Dojolvi, and for the administration of them. Dedicated in-house UltraCare Guides are available Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Eastern Time at 888-756-8657.

 

Investor Conference Call

Ultragenyx will host a conference call today at 4:00 pm Eastern Time/ 1:00 pm Pacific Time to discuss the Dojolvi approval. The live and replayed webcast of the call will be available through the company's website at www.ultragenyx.com. To participate in the live call by phone, dial (855) 797-6910 (U.S.) or (262) 912-6260 (international) and enter the passcode 1597363. The replay of the call will be available for one year.

 

About Dojolvi
Dojolvi is a highly purified, pharmaceutical-grade, odd-carbon medium-chain triglyceride consisting of three 7-carbon fatty acids on a glycerol backbone created via a multi-step chemical process. It is designed to provide medium-chain, odd-carbon fatty acids as an energy source and metabolite replacement for people with LC-FAOD.

 

Ultragenyx licensed exclusive worldwide rights to triheptanoin from Baylor Research Institute in 2013.

 

INDICATION

Dojolvi is indicated as a source of calories and fatty acids for the treatment of pediatric and adult patients with molecularly confirmed long-chain fatty acid oxidation disorders (LC-FAOD).

 

IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION

WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS

Feeding Tube Dysfunction

Feeding tube dysfunction was reported in patients receiving triheptanoin. The contribution of Dojolvi cannot be ruled out. Dojolvi should not be administered in feeding tubes manufactured of polyvinyl chloride (PVC). The feeding tube should be monitored regularly to ensure proper functioning and integrity.

 

Intestinal Malabsorption in Patients with Pancreatic Insufficiency

Low or absent pancreatic enzymes may result in reduced absorption of heptanoate subsequently leading to insufficient supplementation of medium-chain fatty acids. Administration of Dojolvi should be avoided in patients with pancreatic insufficiency.

 

ADVERSE REACTIONS

Gastrointestinal (GI) 

 


 

The most common GI-related adverse reactions reported in the pooled safety population of Studies 1 and 2 were abdominal pain (abdominal discomfort, abdominal pain, abdominal distension, abdominal pain upper, GI pain) [60%], diarrhea [44%], vomiting [44%], and nausea [14%].

 

DRUG INTERACTIONS

Pancreatic Lipase Inhibitors

Co-administration should be avoided due to potential for reduced clinical effect of Dojolvi.

 

USE IN SPECIFIC POPULATIONS

Pregnancy and Lactation

There are no available data on triheptanoin use in pregnant women to evaluate for a drug-associated risk of major birth defects, miscarriage, or adverse maternal or fetal outcomes. Women are advised to report pregnancies to Ultragenyx Pharmaceutical Inc. at 1-888-756-8657. 

There are no data on the presence of triheptanoin or its metabolites in human or animal milk, the effects on the breastfed infant, or the effects on milk production.

 

PATIENT COUNSELING INFORMATION

The patient or caregiver should: 

 

Read the FDA-approved patient labeling, which includes information on the appropriate oral or feeding tube preparation, administration, and storage.

 

Regularly inspect the feeding tube for proper functioning and integrity and report to the healthcare provider if any issues are identified.

 

Be informed that pancreatic insufficiency may reduce the clinical effect of Dojolvi and to report any known pancreatic insufficiency to the healthcare provider.

 

You may report side effects to Ultragenyx Pharmaceutical Inc. at 1-888-756-8657 or FDA at
1-800-FDA-1088 or www.fda.gov/medwatch. 

 

Please see full Prescribing Information, including the Patient Information leaflet, for a complete discussion of the risks associated with Dojolvi.

 

About Ultragenyx

Ultragenyx is a biopharmaceutical company committed to bringing to patients novel products for the treatment of serious rare and ultra-rare genetic diseases. The company has built a diverse portfolio of approved therapies and product candidates aimed at addressing diseases with high unmet medical need and clear biology for treatment, for which there are typically no approved therapies treating the underlying disease.

 

The company is led by a management team experienced in the development and commercialization of rare disease therapeutics. Ultragenyx’s strategy is predicated upon time- and cost-efficient drug development, with the goal of delivering safe and effective therapies to patients with the utmost urgency.

 

 


 

For more information on Ultragenyx, please visit the company’s website at www.ultragenyx.com.

 

Forward-Looking Statements

Except for the historical information contained herein, the matters set forth in this press release, including statements related to Ultragenyx's expectations and projections regarding its future operating results and financial performance, anticipated cost or expense reductions, the timing, progress and plans for its clinical programs and clinical studies, future regulatory interactions, and the components and timing of regulatory submissions are forward-looking statements within the meaning of the "safe harbor" provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Such forward-looking statements involve substantial risks and uncertainties that could cause our clinical development programs, collaboration with third parties, future results, performance or achievements to differ significantly from those expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements. Such risks and uncertainties include, among others, the effects from the COVID-19 pandemic on the company’s commercialization activities, business and operating results, smaller than anticipated market opportunities for the company’s products and product candidates, manufacturing risks, competition from other therapies or products, uncertainties related to insurance coverage and reimbursement status of the company’s newly approved products, the company’s evolving integrated commercial organization, and other matters that could affect sufficiency of existing cash, cash equivalents and short-term investments to fund operations, the company’s future operating results and financial performance, the timing of clinical trial activities  and reporting results from same, and the availability or commercial potential of Ultragenyx’s products and drug candidates. Ultragenyx undertakes no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements. For a further description of the risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ from those expressed in these forward-looking statements, as well as risks relating to the business of Ultragenyx in general, see Ultragenyx's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on May 7, 2020, and its subsequent periodic reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

 

# # #

 

Contact Ultragenyx Pharmaceutical Inc.
Investors & Media
Danielle Keatley
+1-415-475-6876
dkeatley@ultragenyx.com